Thomas the Believer
Thomas is a fascinating figure among Jesus' Twelve Disciples. He is called "Doubting Thomas" because he doubted Jesus' resurrection and demanded solid proof. Thomas was not a skeptic or doubter without reason; he was a man who took his questions seriously and was willing to be surprised by God's reality. Jesus gently and lovingly led him to faith.
The background
Thomas does not appear by name very often in the Gospels. The Gospel of John devotes several short but poignant episodes to him. We first encounter Thomas when Jesus and his disciples learn that Lazarus, a friend of Jesus, is dying. The situation is tense, because Jesus speaks openly of going to Judea to Lazarus. The disciples know that there has already been an attempt to kill Jesus there. Objectively speaking, Thomas is ready to go with Jesus and says to the other disciples with thoughtful determination: "Let us go with him, that we may die with him!" (Joh 11,16).
Does Thomas seem to have more fear than hope here? That doesn't have to be the case. Thomas is willing to go into a dangerous situation with Jesus. Thomas appears again when Jesus speaks about his departure to the Father. Jesus promises his disciples that he will prepare a place for them in the Father's house. Then Jesus says confidently, "You know the way to the place where I am going." (Joh 14,4).
Thomas then protested: “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” (Joh 14,5)This question doesn't necessarily indicate disbelief, but rather a need for clarity and rational explanation. Thomas wants to understand before he trusts. Jesus' famous answer to Thomas's question is: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Joh 14,6)Through this type of question and answer, Jesus reveals to us one of the central tenets of Christianity.
Towards evening after Jesus' resurrection, the disciples had gathered. They had locked the doors of the house tightly for fear of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus stood among them and greeted them: "Peace be with you!" Then he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were overjoyed to see Jesus with their own eyes. One of the twelve, Thomas, whom they also called Twin, was not there that evening. (Joh 20,19-20)He later heard from Jesus' disciples: "We have seen the Lord!" Thomas did not believe it and demanded proof: "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side, I will not believe" (verse 25).
This is the saying that earned Thomas the nickname "the unbeliever" or "the doubter." It wasn't until eight days later that Jesus appeared again, this time with Thomas present. Before Thomas could even say anything, Jesus asked him to touch the wounds. Jesus addressed him directly, saying: "Reach here your finger and see my hands; and reach here your hand and place it in my side. Do not be unbelieving, but believe!" (verse 27).
Thomas's response is one of the most succinct declarations of faith in the New Testament: "My Lord and my God!" (verse 28). At this point, it becomes clear that Thomas is not just a skeptic, but someone who—once he recognizes who Jesus truly is—is immediately ready to declare his faith. The doubting disciple becomes a professing apostle. But Jesus adds: "Because you have seen me, have you believed? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed!" (verse 29).
Jesus is speaking to all people who, unlike Thomas, did not directly touch the wounds and see him in person, but who nevertheless believe in him. This applies to the first Christians who were not eyewitnesses, and even more so to us today and to all future generations. The story of Thomas shows that faith does not arise from human strength alone, but that it is Jesus himself who creates faith and brings it to fruition. When Thomas is absent from Jesus' first appearance, Jesus arranges a second appointment. He comes again to the locked room—just as before. There is no reproach, no reprimand, for Thomas's absence at the first meeting. Jesus makes it clear that a person called to faith is never forgotten or abandoned. Paul writes to all the brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus in Philippi: "I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion at the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil 1,6).
This promise applies to Thomas and to each of us. God is aware of our doubts, worries, and questions. He knows them even before we voice them. Many people have more contact with religious rites than with a relationship with God. They know churches, rituals, and traditions, but not necessarily a living relationship with Jesus, as Thomas experienced it. Jesus meets Thomas personally in his doubt. Faith is primarily a relationship, not a theory. In his farewell discourse, Jesus said to his disciples: “In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” (Joh 14,19-20)Jesus lives through the Holy Spirit in those who have surrendered their lives to him. He enters not only locked rooms then, but also our closed hearts today.
Witness to the Resurrection
John emphasizes the importance of the written testimony: “These things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (Joh 20,31).
Thomas exemplifies how a person goes from doubter to witness. John records this story so that future generations—including us—can learn from it and build on the testimony of the apostles. The deep faith that Jesus calls "blessed" is a deep trust founded on the written word, on the teaching of the apostles, and, above all, on the personal encounter with Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
by Paul Hailey
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